The MU Police Department held a checkpoint during the weekend at Maryland Avenue and Turner Avenue.

MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said 69 cars were checked between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m.

“One was arrested for a minor visibly intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle, two for driving while intoxicated, one for possession of a controlled substance and five for failing to provide proof of insurance,” Weimer said.

Weimer said this doesn’t necessarily mean nine people were arrested, as individuals could have received more than one charge.

Weimer said the main purpose of checkpoints are to find and stop intoxicated drivers. License and proof of insurance are also required. If officers come across any other crime, they are to take enforcement action.

Both students and non-students are stopped at checkpoints. Officers do not distinguish between the two, Weimer said. At checkpoints, officers follow a predetermined plan on how many cars to pull over, whether it be every car or every certain number of cars.

Weimer also said drunk driving is a problem in Columbia.

In addition to checkpoints, the Columbia Police Department also works proactively to stop intoxicated drivers. They work with organizations in Columbia, such as The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team, in order to prevent this from happening. They also work with STRIPES to encourage students to use the free ride service.

The departments encourage people to designate sober drivers and make sure they have a sober person with them when they go out in the evening, Weimer said.

“In addition to that, we do other enforcement-type things that show how we reinforce the negative consequences if you don’t follow those safety tips to keep our community safe,” Weimer said.